On May 16, 2019, Sakine Oğuz in Geçimli village of Hozat district, was found dead in the meadow where she went to shepherd her animals. It is learned from the news coverage of May 21, 2019 that, a person named Medet Can Ateş is detained about the death of Sakine Oğuz and was arrested by the court afterwards. It is learned that Medet Can Ateş was on compulsory military service in Çanakkale and came to Tunceli on permit.

(05/256) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Urfa…

Abdullah Öncel, chair of Şanlıurfa Bar Association, made a declaration on May 21, 2019, about allegation of torture and ill-treatment that 54 people who were detained after the clash in Dergili neighbourhood of Halfeti district of Urfa on May 18, 2019, where 1 police officer and 2 militants died, were subjected to at Urfa Police Headquarters Anti-Terror department. It is stated as following in the declaration: “Members of the bar’s executive board have seen some of the detainees and have the impression from marks of battery on their bodies that those people were subjected to torture. As it was covered on social media, it could be seen that in the garden of Bozova Yaylak Gendarmerie Station some of the detainees were faced down on the floor while handcuffed behind their backs and some has shoe prints on their backs, which shows that torture and ill-treatment is beyond an allegation here.”

It is claimed on the news reports that the statements prepared by the police were signed by 11 of the detainees under custody and ill-treatment. It is also stated in the news reports that Urfa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office imposed a restriction on lawyers so that they can meet only one detainee per person and that the detention period for those people is extended to 4 days.

It is reported that a committee from People’s Democratic Party (HDP) demanded to visit Urfa Governorate and Urfa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office about the allegation of torture and ill-treatment, but was rejected by both.

(05/257) Journalist is Attacked in Antalya…

Ergin Çevik, executive editor of Güney Haberci news portal, is attacked by a group of 3 anonymous people in Aksu district of Antalya on May 21, 2019. It is learned from the news coverage the attackers asked Ergin Çevik “Are you the journalist Ergin?” and then punched him.

(05/258) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 21, 2019 that, radios that belong to Democratic Regions Party (DBP) co-chair Sebahat Tuncel, HDP former co-chair Figen Yüksekdağ and HDP former MP Burcu Çelik Özkan are seized after their wards has been searched in Kandıra Prison.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 21, 2019 that, radios that belong to prisoners kept in Van T Type Prison are seized and their beds were stepped on after their wards has been searched.

The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 924 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on May 21, 2019 at 13.30 and 18.00.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on May 21, 2019, 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Mahmut Konuk) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Acun Karadağ) were detained.

Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on May 21, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.

(05/260) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…

Mahir Kılıç, who was having a protest in front of Republican People’s Party (CHP) Istanbul office on May 21, 2019, in order to regain his job at a municipality where he was dismissed from, is detained by the police.

(05/261) Police Prevention to Protests in Kocaeli and İstanbul…

The protest of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties (HDP and DBP), about the hunger strike in prisons, which was to be held in front of Gebze M Type Prison on May 21, 2019, is prevented by the police.

The police prevented the sit-in protest for the same reason which was to be held in front of Istanbul Bakırköy Women’s Prison on May 21, 2019.

(05/262) Detained People in Van…

On May 21, 2019, 15 people including Leyla Atsak, who was elected on March 31, 2019 as co-mayor from HDP but who was not given her certification of election on the grounds of being dismissed from public duty by a state of emergency decree, are detained in house raids in Çaldıran district of Van. It is learned that 9 people were released after statement procedures at the police on May 22, 2019; and that detention period for 5 people along with Leyla Atsak is extended. The names of detainees are: Leyla Atsak, Hülya Darak, Hacı Darak, Salih Candeğer, Şeref Temel, Kerem Koç, Zeynel Abidin Keleş, Mehmet Sıddık Moraner, Süleyman Kaya, Fevzi Kaya, Halil Koç, Naci Utaş, Nuri Kızılaslan, Mustafa Kaya, Hakan Taş.

(05/263) Detained Members and Executives of DBP in Batman…

On May 21, 2019, 6 people including DBP Batman co-chair Şükrü Tapkan are detained in house raids in Batman. The reason of detention is unknown. The names of detained people are: Şükrü Tapkan, Rojda Sürücü, Mahmut Sürücü, Süreyye Demirkılıç, Abdulbari Karğaç and Şirin Çelik.

(05/264) Detained HDP Employee in Şırnak…

HDP office employee Mazlum Güzel is detained in Cizre district of Şırnak while he was leaving the party office on May 21, 2019. The reason of detention is unknown.

(05/265) Detained People in Edirne…

On May 21, 2019, 12 students of Trakya University who are members of Students’ Collective are detained in house raids in Edirne. It is learned that the reason of detention is attending May 1 events.

(05/266) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”…

The separate cases against 3 academicians (Professor Funda Şenol Cantek from Ankara University, Research Assistant Serkan Taşkent from Sakarya University, Professor Şükrü Aslan from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University) for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 24 for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ are held on May 21, 2019. The court decided to send the case against Funda Şenol Cantek to Ankara Heavy Penal Court on the grounds of lack of venue. The court decided to ask the Ministry of Justice in order to continue judging Serkan Taşkent and Şükrü Aslan according to Article 301 of Turkish Penal Code and to stop proceedings until then.

The case against Professor Ayşe Gül Altınay from Sabancı University for the same reason is held on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 25 on May 21, 2019. The court sentenced Ayşe Gül Altınay to 2 years and 1 month for ‘aiding an illegal organisation knowingly and willingly, although not being a member of it’.

The case against PhD Begüm Başdaş from Bilgi University for the same reason is held on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 36 on May 21, 2019. The court adjourned the trial to September 24, 2019.

(05/267) Özgür Gündem Case…

The final trial of the case against 22 people including Eren Keskin (co-editor in chief) and writers and managers Reyhan Çapan, Reyhan Hacıoğlu, Nuray Özdoğan, Celalettin Can, Ayşe Batumlu, Ayşe Berktay, Filiz Koçali, Hüseyin Aykol of Özgür Gündem newspaper, which was closed down by a state of emergency decree, is held on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 14 on May 21, 2019. The court sentenced 2 people (Ayşe Batumlu and Reyhan Hacıoğlu) to 1 year and 3 months each; 2 people (Hüseyin Güçlü and Tahir Temel) to 1 year and 6 months each; 1 person (Hüseyin Aykol) to 2 years and 1 month and 2 people (Eren Keskin and Reyhan Çapan) to 3 years and 9 months each for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’. The court suspended the sentences given to Reyhan Hacıoğlu and Ayşe Batumlu. The court acquitted Ayşe Berktay, Celalettin Can, Cemal Bozkurt, Çetin Ulu, Nuray Özdoğan, Emrullah Kurcan, Ergin Atabey and Özlem Söyle. The court separated the cases against Filiz Koçali, Enver Baysal, Hasan Başak, İhsan Yorulmaz, Muzaffer Ayata, Serbest Zan and Züleyha Yılmaz.

(05/268) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…

The case against journalist Ahmet Altan, for a column published on Taraf newspaper in 2010, started to be held on Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 2 on May 21, 2019. The indictment demands sentence for Ahmet Altan on the charge of ‘insulting a public officer’. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to September 17, 2019.

(05/269) The Constitutional Court’s Decision About Withholding Newspapers in Prisons…

The Constitutional Court’s decision on an individual application by Recep Bekik et. al. about not being given in prison, newspapers and magazines that they bought and which are not banned, is published on Official Gazette on May 21, 2019. The court decided that not giving prisoners the newspapers and magazines that they bought is violation of freedom of expression which is guaranteed by Article 26 of The Constitution.

The court’s decision states also the following: “It is seen that there is a structural problem in the current system that arises from the practice of accepting periodicals to penal institutions. Unless there is an established order which is effective in order to provide prisoners the periodicals in a uniform, equitable and compatible with the criteria proposed by The Constitutional Court, it is clear that this structural problem will continue which in result would mean violation of freedom of expression guaranteed by Article 26 of The Constitution”.

(05/270) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…

On May 21, 2019, 5 people are detained for using ByLock, in operations in Ankara; 13 people are detained in operations covering 4 cities through an Izmir based investigation.

On May 21, 2019, a detention warrant is issued for 140 military members including 2 colonels, 4 lieutenant colonels and 7 majors through an Ankara based investigation against Turkish Armed Forces personnel.

On May 21, 2019, a detention warrant is issued for 74 people through an Istanbul based investigation against “informatics structure of the organisation”.

15 of 31 people who were detained on May 15, 2019 through an Istanbul based investigation are arrested by the court on May 21, 2019. 16 people are released 4 of which are on judicial control conditions.

(05/271) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…

The final trial of the case against Mustafa Akarsu, former member of The Supreme Court, is held on Penal Department No 9 of The Supreme Court on May 21, 2019. The court sentenced the defendant to 10 years for ‘being an illegal organisation’.

[1]The reports on the human rights violations of the Documentation Center are claims unless they are certified. The claim of violation either is certified through thoroughly investigations of HRFT Documentation Center, including by judicial verdicts, and becomes a definite data or it is not included to the annual report.

[2]To subscribe to the e-mail group: please write ‘daily human rights reports subscription application’ to the title of your e-mail and sent it to dokumantasyon@tihv.org.tr.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 20, 2019 that, 2 militants died in a clash between HPG militants and security forces in Tunceli on May 2, 2019.

(05/237) Suspicious Death of a Soldier…

It is claimed on the news coverage of May 20, 2019 that, Oğuzhan Kaman (23), who was on compulsory military service at Çanakkale 116. Gendarmerie Training Command, died due to heart attack.

(05/238) Death of a Soldier…

It is learned that Emre Okan (21), who was having medical treatment at Ankara Gülhane Research and Education Hospital after having a brain haemorrhage during military service at Hakkari Commando Brigade, died on May 20, 2019.

(05/239) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Urfa…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 20, 2019 that 54 people who were detained after the clash in Dergili neighbourhood of Halfeti district of Urfa on May 18, 2019, where 1 police officer and 2 militants died, were subjected to torture and ill-treatment at Urfa Police Headquarters Anti-Terror department.

It is stated in the news reports that, although detained people have fractures at their body parts they were not taken to hospital; lawyer meetings were limited to 5 minutes and the police was present during the interviews. It is reported that the police said “We know that this is against the law but one of our friend is martyred that is why we do so. It is the prosecutor’s instruction. You can go ask them if you want” to the lawyers about this practice.

The photographs showing detainees who were handcuffed behind their backs and faced down on the garden of Urfa Police Headquarters are covered by the press.

(05/240) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Diyarbakır…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 20, 2019 that, A.A. (17, e) who was detained while he was walking on the street in Sur district of Diyarbakır on May 10, 2019, on the grounds of a complaint against him; was subjected to physical violence, threatened to death and was forced to be a police informant in the armoured police car in which he was put.

It is stated in the news reports that, A.A. was taken not to Juvenile Department but to Anti-Terror Department although he is a child; and that he has signed the statement that the police prepared, under the threat of torture.

It is also reported that A.A. was forced to be a police informant after being released.

(05/241) Person Had a Heart Attack Under Custody…

It is learned that Mehmet Kızılkaya, a member of People’s Democratic Party (HDP), who was detained in a house raid in Adana on May 20, 2019, had a heart attack at Adana Police Headquarters where he was taken to. It is reported that Mehmet Kızılkaya was first taken to a hospital and then was released by the prosecutor’s instruction. It is also learned that numerous people were detained in house raids in Adana on the same day however the names of detainees are unknown.

(05/242) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 20, 2019 that prisoners on hunger strike in Balıkesir Bandırma T Type Prisons No 1 and 2 were not given vitamin B1, and the radios of those prisoners were seized after ward searches.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 20, 2019 that, prisoners in Balıkesir Burhaniye T Type Prison and Izmir Ödemiş T Type Prison were prevented from using their phone call rights.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 20, 2019 that, prisoners on hunger strike in Urfa T Type Prison were subjected to physical violence during ward searches and that personal belongings of prisoners such as radios and books were seized after searches.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 20, 2019 that, the radios in the ward of 2 prisoners on indefinite hunger strike in Gebze M Type Women’s Prison were seized after a ward search.

It is learned from the letter of Akil Nergüz, a prisoner in Van High Security Prison, which was covered by the press on May 20, 2019 that, the photographs sent to prisoners were seized by the prison administration which banned the photographs of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, on the grounds that they are “members of DHKP-C”. It is also stated in the letter that numerous disciplinary proceedings were initiated against prisoner which resulted in following penalties: Talat Şanlı, deprivation of visit rights for 2 months; Taner Korkmaz, Macit Şahinkaya, Murat Kaymaz and Akil Nergüz, deprivation of phone call rights for 1 month; Taner Korkmaz, Yusuf Kenan Dinçer and Murat Kaymaz, deprivation of paid employment for 1 month; Taner Korkmaz, Macit Şahinkaya, Akil Nergüz, Talat Şanlı, Murat Kaymaz, Rabbena Hanedar, 3-days of solitary cell for rejecting arbitrary finger print and palm print controls. It is also stated that prisoners were not given Cumhuriyet, Evrensel and Yeni Yaşam newspapers and some books.

The report of the visit to Edirne F Type Prison made by Hunger Strike Observation Committee which consists of representatives from Human Rights Association Istanbul Branch, HRFT Istanbul Branch, Istanbul Medical Chamber and Trade Union of Health and Social Service Employees (SES), is covered by the press on May 20, 2019. According to the report, 4 prisoners (Ramazan Çeper, Hakan Adıgüzel, Mazlum Bataray and Ahmet Mamo) who are on hunger strike, are kept in solitary cells, their personal belongings were seized after ward searches and disciplinary proceeding are initiated against them.

(05/243) Prevention of Funeral in Diyarbakır…

It is learned that People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Diyarbakır MP Semra Güzel submitted a parliamentary question to the Grand National Assembly, demanding an answer from the Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu, about prevention of funeral of HPG militant Nevaf Kortak. The parliamentary question states the following: The family received the funeral of Nevaf Kortak from Malatya Forensic Medicine Institution on May 13, 2019 and the family members were stopped several times on their way to Diyarbakır. The family members were subjected to General Information Check controls for several times while Nevaf Kortak’s coffin was opened many times too. The police at the mosque in Diyarbakır, prevented the funeral service according to their religious belief and prevented the condolence meeting as well.

The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 923 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on May 20, 2019 at 13.30 and 18.00.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on May 20, 2019, 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Merve Demirel) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Acun Karadağ) were detained.

Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on May 20, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.

(05/245) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara…

The police intervened the protestors in front of Çankaya Public Health Directorate on May 20, 2019, who rally to regain their jobs from which they had been dismissed by state of emergency decrees, and detained 2 people (Mahmut Konuk and 1 more person). It is learned that 2 people were released the same day.

(05/246) Penalty Fine Given to a Protestor in Düzce…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 20, 2019 that, architect Alev Şahin, who was detained 235 times while having a sit-in protest to regain her job from which she had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree, is fined to 67.000 Turkish Liras as penalty.

(05/247) Police Intervention to a Protest in Kocaeli…

The police intervened the protest of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties (HDP and DBP), about the hunger strike in prisons, which was to be held in front of Gebze M Type Prison on May 20, 2019, and detained 2 people (HDP Gebze district co-chair Damla Bağcı and HDP Kocaeli provincial executive Dilara Özgören) by using physical violence. It is learned that the police seized the phones of journalists and executives of political parties who were recording the intervention and deleted the videos in those phones.

(05/248) Arrested ESP Member in Antalya…

1 of 2 members of ESP (Socialist Party of the Oppressed) who were detained in Antalya on May 14, 2019, is arrested by the court on the grounds of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ on May 20, 2019. 1 person is released on judicial control conditions. The name of arrested person is Vedat Oğuz and the name of released person is Aziz Özdoğan.

(05/249) Detained Trade Union Member in Urfa…

Süreyya Reşitoğlu Çiftçi, a member of Health and Social Service Employees Union (SES) who was dismissed by a state of emergency decree, and 7-months pregnant, who was detained in a house raid on the grounds of ‘aiding an illegal organisation’ in Urfa on May 17, 2019, is released by the court on judicial control conditions on May 20, 2019.

(05/250) People on Trial in Istanbul…

The final trial of the case against 14 people (2 journalists and 12 high-school students), for the protest “Report Cards are Yours, We have the Future” held in Kadıköy district of Istanbul on June 8, 2018, is held on Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 19 on May 20, 2019. The court acquitted all defendants on the charge of the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No 2911.

(05/251) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…

On May 20, 2019, 111 of 249 people for whom a detention warrant was issued, are detained in operations covering 42 cities through an Ankara based investigation against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel.

(05/252) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…

The final trial of the case against Mustafa Kemal Tepedelen, former member of the Supreme Court, is held on Penal Department No 9 of the Supreme Court on May 20, 2019. The court sentenced the defendant to 10 years for ‘being an illegal organisation member’.

(05/253) Suspended City Council Members…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 20, 2019 that, 9 members of city council of Tatvan district of Bitlis who were elected from HDP on March 31, 2019, are suspended by the Ministry of Interior on the grounds of investigations against them.

(05/254) Proceedings Against Parliamentary Members…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 20, 2019 that, the proceedings against 25 parliamentary members are submitted to the Constitution and Justice Committee of the Grand National Assembly.

With these last proceedings, the number of proceedings demanding lifting the legal immunity raised up to 382.

[1]The reports on the human rights violations of the Documentation Center are claims unless they are certified. The claim of violation either is certified through thoroughly investigations of HRFT Documentation Center, including by judicial verdicts, and becomes a definite data or it is not included to the annual report.

[2]To subscribe to the e-mail group: please write ‘daily human rights reports subscription application’ to the title of your e-mail and sent it to dokumantasyon@tihv.org.tr.

It is learned that a person named Sakine Oğuz in Geçimli village of Hozat district, is found dead in the meadow where she went to shepherd her animals. It is learned from the news that, fractures in her chin and chest, bullet hole in her forehead and cuts on her neck are found in the preliminary autopsy of Sakine Oğuz. It is also learned that Hozat Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation about Sakine Oğuz’s dead.

(05/213) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 17, 2019 that 1 HPG militant died in an air attack of Turkish Armed Forces against Xınere area in Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on May 14, 2019.

It is learned that 1 police officer and 2 militants died and 2 police officers were wounded in a clash between HPG militants and security forces in Dergili neighbourhood of Urfa’s Halfeti district on May 18, 2019.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 17, 2019 that 2 militants died in a clash between HPG militants and security forces in rural areas of Şırnak on May 15, 2019.

(05/214) Suspicious Death of a Soldier…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 18, 2019 that, Ertuğrul Üstün, a soldier on duty in Şehit Çavuş Murat Özeker Board Post in Hatay, was heavily wounded due to a weapon accident during a patrol on board area and died afterwards.

(05/215) The Vehicle Which Was Shot by The Police in Urfa…

It is learned that, on May 18, 2019, a vehicle in which children were also travelling in Aligor neighbourhood of Suruç district of Urfa was opened fire by special force task police, on the grounds of disobeying stop warning. 6 people in the vehicle got wounded. The names of wounded people are: Hava Algac, Emine Çalışan, Gülcan Ertaş, Aysel Geçici, Zehra Kurt, Kübra Kurt.

It is learned that, Numan Tatlı, the driver of the vehicle stated who was detained after the incident, stated the following: “There was no other stopped or travelling vehicles on the road. I stopped my car. I heard the police saying ‘get out of the car’ and I said ‘We are farm labourers’ to them from the window of the car but the police fired their gun up in the air before I finished my sentence. I opened the doors of the vehicle, and when I was opening the driver’s door and at this moment numerous guns were fired against the vehicle which was shot by numerous bullets. I took my head out of the window again and said ‘We are farm labourers we are not dangerous’. A police officer with green vest came around and stopped other police officers who were firing guns. My vehicle was fired for almost a minute.”

(05/216) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody Istanbul…

People’s Law Office made a declaration and stated that, people who were detained in the police raid to Idil Cultural Center in Okmeydanı neighbourhood of Istanbul on May 16, 2019 were subjected to torture and ill-treatment at Istanbul Police Headquarters where they were taken. According to the declaration, Betül Varan, a member of Grup Yorum music band has a broken nose and other detainees have bruises on their wrists due to being handcuffed behind their backs. It is also reported that detained women and a person named Fırat Kaya were also subjected to sexual abuse under custody.

It is learned that the detained people met their lawyers and told about the ill-treatment and torture that they were subjected to. Fırat Kaya states the following: “They started torturing about 2.30 a.m. They wet us with water and beat us for 20 minutes. They asked my home city and beat me when I did not answer. They sexually abused me (put their fingers in my anus). They twisted my testicles.”

Beyhan Gün states the following: “They started around 23.00. I cannot stand on my foot. 5 or 6 people beat me until I fainted. I can recognise them if I see. They did it in a place where surveillance cameras were around. One of them, a fat one, came onto me, pulled my hair and hit my head on the floor. They cursed me when I said ‘stop arbitrary search’. My feet and shoulders are terrible. They sit on me, twisted my feet. They forced me to drink water. They were 2 people, one has a crescent shaped moustache, long hair and very weighty, this one stomped on me. The other one was bold with a beard and the same moustache.”

(05/217) Allegation of Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Urfa…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 18, 2019 that, 10 people including Suruç district council member Abdurrezak Karak, who were detained in house raids in Suruç and Viranşehir districts of Urfa on May 16, 2019, were subjected to torture and ill-treatment at Urfa Police Headquarters.

(05/218) Allegation of Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Urfa…

It is learned that, after the clash in Dergili neighbourhood of Halfeti district of Urfa on May 18, 2019, where 1 police officer and 2 militants died, the house where the clash took place was burned down by the police and the Alakuş family living there were detained.

It is learned that Fahri Alakuş and his wife Hanım Alakuş were taken to another house in the neighbourhood after being detained and were subjected to torture there. It is learned that Fahri Alakuş and Hanım Alakuş were heavily wounded due to torture and were kept there unconscious for a long while before being taken to hospital.

It is also learned Zeki Alakuş, his wife Hazal Alakuş and their son M.A. were detained by physical violence.

(05/219) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 17, 2019 that the wards of prisoners on hunger strike in Izmir Şakran Prison No 4 were searched and personal belongings of the prisoners were seized.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 18, 2019 that prisoners kept in Amasya E Type and Tokat T Type prisons were subjected to restriction of right to meet lawyers. Accordingly, prisoners kept in Amasya E Type Prison were allowed to meet their lawyers only on Mondays and Thursdays, and prisoners in Tokat T Type Prison were allowed to meet their lawyers once a week and only for one hour. It is also reported that meetings with lawyers were audio and video recorded while a warden was present in the interview rooms.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 18, 2019 that prisoners in Tokat T Type Prison were not given newspaper.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 19, 2019 that Ergin Aktaş, an ill prisoner who was transferred from Izmir Menemen R Type Prison to Silivri Prison No 9 under coercion, and who was on hunger strike on March 6, 2019, is kept in solitary cell. It is also stated in the news reports that Ergin Aktaş was forced to quit hunger strike.

The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 922 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on May 17, 18, and 19, 2019 at 13.30 and 18.00.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on May 17, 2019, 2 people (Alev Şahin and Acun Karadağ) and at 18.00 2 people (Gülnaz Bozkurt and Merve Demirel) were detained.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on May 18, 2019, 2 people (Alev Şahin and İlker Işık) and at 18.00 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Alev Şahin) were detained.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on May 19, 2019, 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained.

Thus in total 12 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on May 17, 18, and 19, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.

Police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square in Istanbul to prevent Saturday Mothers who rally every Saturday for 23 years in the same place to gather for the 738th time on May 18, 2019. Upon police prevention, the group including People’s Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Pervin Buldan, HDP MP’s Hüda Kaya and Oya Ersoy, Republican People’s Party (CHP) MP’s Sezgin Tanrıkulu and Ali Şeker, and human rights defenders from abroad along with families of disappeared people gather in front of Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul office and started to march. It is reported that the police blockaded the street of IHD Istanbul office too.

(05/222) Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul…

“F sit-in”, which is organized for the 373rd time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prison Watch Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on May 18, 2019, is prevented by the police. The police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square. Human rights defenders made the press declaration in front of IHD Istanbul office.

(05/223) Police Prevention to Protests in Kocaeli and İstanbul…

The protests of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties (HDP and DBP), about the hunger strike in prisons, which were to be held in front of Istanbul Bakırköy Women’s Prison on May 17, 18, and 19, 2019, are prevented by the police.

The police prevented the protests of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties, about the hunger strike in prisons, which were to be held at in front of Gebze M Type Prison on May 17, 18, and 19, 2019, on the grounds of governorate’s interdict.

(05/224) Police Intervention Against TAYAD’s Protest in Istanbul…

The police intervened TAYAD (Association of Prisoners’ Families) members who made a press declaration in front of Kartal Courthouse in Istanbul and then wanted to start a ‘justice march’ to Ankara on May 19, 2019. 6 people including 3 people are detained. The detainees are released after statement procedures at the police on the same day. The names of detainees are: lawyer Ezgi Çakır, lawyer Didem Baydar, lawyer Görkem Ağdere, Hasan Kocaman, Feridun Osmanoğlu, Batuhan Şendağ.

(05/225) Police Intervention Against Lawyers’ Protest in Ankara…

The police intervened the press declaration of Ankara Bar Association LGBTIQ+ Rights Center for The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17, 2019 in front of Education Center of the bar, and forced lawyers into the center. It is learned that nobody was detained.

The police intervened the group celebrating championship of Galatasaray football club, in Sancaktepe district of Istanbul on May 19, 2019. It is learned that the police fired the gun up in the air and a handicapped person was injured due to police violence and was taken to hospital.

(05/227) Detained Trade Union Member in Urfa…

Süreyya Reşitoğlu Çiftçi, a member of Health and Social Service Employees Union (SES) who was dismissed by a state of emergency decree, is detained in a house raid on the grounds of ‘aiding an illegal organisation’ in Urfa on May 17, 2019. It is learned that Süreyya Reşitoğlu Çiftçi is 7-months pregnant and was taken to Adıyaman to be kept in Gendarmerie Command.

(05/228) Detained Journalist and HDP Members in Iğdır…

On May 17, 2019 journalist İdris Demirel and HDP members Kemal Çakmak and Deniz Kaynar are detained in house raids in Iğdır. It is learned that the reason of detention is a human shield protest held in 2015.

(05/229) Journalist Put in Prison…

Mustafa Yaya, a journalist in Aydın, is put in prison on May 18, 2019, after the sentence of 11 months and 20 days given by Kuşadası Penal Court of First Instance No 2 to him on the charge of ‘insulting the President on social media posts’ is approved.

(05/230) Former Co-Mayor on Trial…

The final trial of the case against 7 people including Zeynep Sipçik, former co-mayor of Dargeçit district of Mardin, is held on Van Heavy Penal Court No 2 on May 17, 2019. The court sentenced Zeynep Sipçik to 13 years and 6 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court sentenced 2 arrested defendants to heavy life imprisonment and 2 other defendants to 10 year and 6 months and to 11 years and 3 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court acquitted 2 people.

Zeynep Sipçik was detained on March 30, 2019 and was arrested on March 31, 2019.

(05/231) The Case of Bombing Attack in Beşiktaş…

The final trial of the case against 27 people including 24 arrested defendants, about the bombing attack to Vodafone stadium in Beşiktaş on December 10, 2016, where 47 people died and 242 people got wounded, is held on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 29 on May 17, 2019. The court sentenced 4 people to heavy life imprisonment for 47 times and to 4.890 years of jail penalty each. The court sentenced 10 defendants to life imprisonment for ‘disrupting the unity and integrity of the state’ and to jail imprisonment differing from 25 years to 3.380 years. The court sentenced 4 defendants to jail penalties differing from 7 years and 6 months to 15 years for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court separated the cases against 9 fugitive defendants.

(05/232) Elections on March 31…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 18, 2019 that the certification election of Erdal Kılınç, who was elected from CHP to city council of Kuşadası district of Aydın, was cancelled by the Supreme Election Board, on the grounds of being dismissed from public duty by a state of emergency decree.

(05/233) Ban on Events in Hakkari…

Hakkari Governorate made a declaration on May 17, 2019 and announced that all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins and opening stands and so on are banned as of May 19, 2019 until June 17, 2019.

(05/234) Ban on Events in Van…

Van Governorate made a declaration on May 18, 2019 and announced that all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins and opening stands and so on are banned as of May 19, 2019 until May 25, 2019.

(05/235) Banned Event in Adana…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 18, 2019 that HDP Adana Youth Assembly’s event of Çukurova Youth Gathering which was to be held on May 19, 2019 is banned by Adana Governorate.

[1]The reports on the human rights violations of the Documentation Center are claims unless they are certified. The claim of violation either is certified through thoroughly investigations of HRFT Documentation Center, including by judicial verdicts, and becomes a definite data or it is not included to the annual report.

[2]To subscribe to the e-mail group: please write ‘daily human rights reports subscription application’ to the title of your e-mail and sent it to dokumantasyon@tihv.org.tr.

Journalist İdris Özyol is attacked by an anonymous group, in front of the building of Yeni Yüzyıl newspaper where he works in Antalya on May 15, 2019. It is reported that İdris Özyol was wounded at head and chest and was taken to Antalya Atatürk Public Hospital.

(05/177) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 15, 2019 that, 15 prisoners who are on hunger strike in Elazığ High Security Prison No 2, are put into solitary cells. It is also reported that personal belongings of prisoners such as pencils, notebooks and books were seized.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 15, 2019 that wards of prisoners on indefinite hunger strike in Kandıra F Type Prison No 1 were searched and personal belongings of prisoners such as radios and letters were seized.

The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 918 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on May 15, 2019 at 13.30 and 18.00.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on May 15, 2019, 2 people (Mahmut Konuk and Gülnaz Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained.

Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on May 15, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.

The protest of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties (HDP and DBP), about the hunger strike in prisons, which was to be held in front of Gebze M Type Prison on May 15, 2019, is prevented by the police on the grounds of governorate’s ban. It is learned that the group had a sit-in protest there.

The police prevented the protest of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties, about the hunger strike in prisons, which was to be held at Koşuyolu Park in Bağlar district of Diyarbakır on May 15, 2019. It is learned that journalists who were watching the protest were removed from the park by the police.

The gendarmerie used pressurized water to intervene into the protest of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties, about the hunger strike in prisons, held in front of Ağrı Patnos L Type Prison on May 15, 2019. It is learned that nobody was detained. It is also learned that journalists who were watching the protest were checked by the gendarmerie through general information gathering system controls.

The polis used pepper spray to intervene into the protest of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties, about the hunger strike in prisons, held in Lice district of Diyarbakır on May 15, 2019. A person named Galip Kaymaz was detained at the intervention and was released on the same day. It is learned that Galip Kaymaz wanted to record while he was being detained and the police broke his phone.

The police prevented the protest of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties, about the hunger strike in prisons, which was to be in front of Adana Ceyhan M Type Prison on May 15, 2019.

The police prevented the protest of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties, about the hunger strike in prisons, in Başakşehir district of Istanbul on May 15, 2019 and detained at least 6 people. The names of detained people are: Nadire Kılıç, Zübeyde Adar, Gülbahar Erkılıç, Dılşah Uğurtaş, Yonca Çelik and Mirza Korkmaz.

11 people who were detained at the police intervention against the protest held on May 13, 2019 in Batman, are released on May 15, 2019.

(05/180) Detained HDP Members in Diyarbakır…

It is learned that 4 members of People’s Democratic Party (HDP) including Diyarbakır’s Yenişehir district co-chair, who were visiting shops around, were detained on May 15, 2019 by the police on the grounds of “complaints against them”. It is learned that detention period for 4 people is extended to 4 days. The names of detained people are: HDP Yenişehir district co-chair Vahap Günay, Diyadin Noyan, Şaban Turhan and Abdo Öner.

(05/181) Detained Journalist and ESP Member in İstanbul and Antalya…

Journalist Soner Karabulut and 5 members (Gülsen İmre, Ulaş İmre, Deniz İmre, Eren Mehdi Şen, Okan Gündüz) of The Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) including Sultangazi district chair Gülsen İmre who were detained in house raids in Istanbul through an investigation against ESP members, on May 14, 2019, are released by the court on May 15, 2019. It is learned that 5 people except Gülsen İmre were released on judicial control conditions.

(05/182) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”…

The case against 8 academicians (Assist. Professor Ömer Turan, Assoc. Professor Nazan Haydari, Research Assistant Zeynep Yeşim Gökçe, graduate student H.T. from Bilgi University, PhD student Tuğba Yıldırım from Sabancı University, Assoc. Professor Begüm Özden Fırat from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, PhD Aylin Kuryel from Amsterdam University and Professor Mehmet Ali Oturan from Paris-Est University) for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 30 for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ is held on May 15, 2019. The court reversed its decision from the previous trial, which resulted in consolidation of the cases, and decided to separate the cases, in order to prevent prolongation of the trials, and adjourned the trials to November 1, 2019.

The separate cases against 2 academicians (Assist. Professor Necat Keskin from Mardin Artuklu University and Assoc. Professor Mustafa Tekpınar from Van Yüzüncü Yıl University) for the same reason are held on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 30 on May 15, 2019. The court adjourned the trials.

(05/183) The Case Against Former Co-Chairs of HDP…

The final trial of the case against Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, former co-chairs of HDP, on the grounds of defaming Kayseri provincial police chief İbrahim Kulular, is held on Kayseri Penal Court of First Instance No 12 on May 15, 2019. It is learned that Selahattin Demirtaş’s petition demanding to attend the trial in person was submitted to the court board. The court acquitted Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ.

(05/184) The Case Against Former Co-Chair of HDP…

The trial of the case against Figen Yüksekdağ, former co-chair of HDP, on the grounds of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ is held on Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 10 on May 15, 2019. The court decided to consolidate the case with the case on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 16 against Figen Yüksekdağ.

(05/185) Journalists and Parliament Member on Trial in Istanbul…

The case against Republican People’s Party (CHP) MP Enis Berberoğlu, and Ankara correspondent Erdem Gül, on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 14, on the grounds of ‘aiding an illegal organisation despite not being a member of it’, for publishing the footage of MIT (National Intelligence Service) trucks stopped in Adana and Hatay on January 19, 2014, is held on May 15, 2019. The court decided to separate the case against former executive editor of daily Cumhuriyet newspaper Can Dündar, on the trial held on February 6, 2019.

The court decided to drop the case against Erdem Gül, on the charge of “knowingly and willingly aiding an illegal organisation without being a part of its hierarchical order”, and decided to non-verdict situation for CHP MP Enis Berberoğlu.

The court adjourned the trial of the case against Can Dündar to October 31, 2019.

(05/186) Journalist on Trial in Erzurum…

The appeal trail of the case against journalist Seda Taşkın, who was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months by Muş Heavy Penal Court No 2, is held on Erzurum Regional Court on May 15, 2019. The court sentenced Seda Taşkın to 1 year 11 months and 10 days for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’. The court acquitted Seda Taşkın on the charge of ‘aiding and abetting an illegal organisation’.

Seda Taşkın was detained and then arrested on December 20, 2018 and a case was opened against her on Muş Heavy Penal Court No 2, where she was sentenced to 4 years and 2 months for ‘aiding an illegal organisation without being a member of it’; to 3 years and 4 months for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ which makes 7 years and 6 months in total. Seda Taşkın was released from the prison by Erzurum Regional Court’s interim decision on January 17, 2019.

(05/187) Ceylan Önkol Case…

On May 15, 2019, Penal Department No 5 of the Council of State has declared its decision on the appeal about rejection of the lawsuit for non-pecuniary damages opened by Ceylan Önkol’s family. Ceylan Önkol (12), has died due to a mortar shell fired from Yayla Mlitary Post, while she was shepherding in Şenlik village of Diyarbakır’s Lice district on September 28, 2009. Penal Department reversed the decision of Diyarbakır Administrative Court No 2, which rejected the lawsuit, and decided to send the case to the court for retrial. The court states the following: “Since the fact that unexploded ammunition was found in an area where people constantly use and which is close to residential area shows that the administration failed to serve security and safety service, it is concluded that the administration has a fault. Thus, it is legally appropriate to solve the controversy according to the Law No 5233.”

Önkol family demanded 100.000 Turkish Liras for material and 150.000 Turkish Liras for immaterial damages in the case against administration and Diyarbakır Administrative Court No 2 sentenced the administration to pay 28.208 Turkish Liras for material damages while rejecting the demand for immaterial damages.

(05/188) Constitutional Court’s Decision on Gezi Park Protests…

On May 15, 2019, the Constitutional Court concluded the appeal for deferment of the verdict of 10-months’ jail sentence given to police officer F.Z., who used pepper spray at a close range to Ceyda Sungur, who is known as “Woman in Red” during Gezi Park protests. The court decided that there is no violation in the act. The decision states the following: “The security personnel who used physical force against the applicant although it was not necessary, is judged in the context of violation of ban on ill-treatment, and the personnel is given a sentence which is considered to be appropriate for the act. Thus, it is decided that unjust treatment which the applicant was subjected to is justified”. It is learned that the decision is made out of 3 cons against 2 pros. Serruh Kaleli, the member of the court board who opposed to this decision states the following in his objection: “According to the practices of the Constitutional Court, deferment of the verdict given to public officials who violate by intentional acts the ban on ill-treatment, does not justify the unjust treatment against the applicants. In addition, it does not provide the required determent in the context of ban on ill-treatment. Furthermore, it gives the impression that judicial bodies are indifferent to these unlawful acts. In this case, there is no reason to differ from the established practices of the Constitutional Court, the member submits a dissenting opinion”.

(05/189) Constitutional Court’s Decision on Violation of Right to Assembly and Demonstrate…

On May 15, 2019 the Constitutional Court concluded on the appeal made by Türk Eğitim-Sen (Turkish Education Employees’ Union) Niğde Branch chair İhsan Uğraş, about the penalty fine of 189 Turkish Liras given to the participators of a press declaration held in front of Niğde Governorate on August 25, 2014. The Constitutional Court decided that the penalty fine violates the right to assembly and demonstrate and decided to send the case to Niğde Penal Court of Peace.

(05/190) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…

On May 15, 2019, 16 people are detained in operations covering 6 cities through an Adana based investigation.

(05/191) Elections on March, 31…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 15, 2019 that the investigations on infraction of rules during elections on March 31, is consolidated in 3 main cases under the names Kadıköy, Maltepe and Ataşehir cases.

(05/192) Curfew in Bitlis…

Bitlis Governorate made a declaration on May 15, 2019 and declared curfew in 14 villages of the central district as of 06:00 on May 15, 2019 until 23:59 on May 20, 2019. The villages under curfew are: Sarıkonak, Abacılar, Harmanyeri, Esenburun, Güllüce, Aşağıçobansuyu, Çobansuyu, Akgün, Kutlu, Kınalı, Uçankuş, Dikme, Aşağıdikme, Yukarıdikme.

[1]The reports on the human rights violations of the Documentation Center are claims unless they are certified. The claim of violation either is certified through thoroughly investigations of HRFT Documentation Center, including by judicial verdicts, and becomes a definite data or it is not included to the annual report.

[2]To subscribe to the e-mail group: please write ‘daily human rights reports subscription application’ to the title of your e-mail and sent it to dokumantasyon@tihv.org.tr.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 11, 2019 that 2 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Hatay on April 30, 2019.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 14, 2019 that, 1 militant died in a clash in Kutudere area of Tunceli on May 9, 2019.

(05/163) Restriction of Access to Health of an Academician for Not Being Given His Passport…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 14, 2019 that Professor Haluk Savaş, who have cancer and thus wants to go abroad for treatment, was not given a passport. It is reported that, Haluk Savaş, who was dismissed from public duty by a state of emergency decree, was acquitted by the court where he was judged on the charge of “being a terrorist organization member” and that the court has lifted the ban on leaving the country; however, his application to Adana Governorate for a passport was rejected. It is also stated in the news reports that Haluk Savaş was recommended to “write to Presidential Communication Office declaring his health reports”.

(05/164) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 14, 2019 that in Burhaniye T Type Prison, radios, magazines and newspapers belonging to prisoners were seized after a search at the wards.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 14, 2019 that, in Burhaniye T Type Prison, prisoners who are on hunger strike demanding end to isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, reject health controls because their regular pulse and weight checks were not included in these controls.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 14, 2019 that Eziza Yağız, a prisoner who is on hunger strike since March 1, 2019 in Mardin E Type Prison was transferred to Tarsus Women’s Prison under coercion.

It is learned that prisoners in Şırnak T Type Prison sent a letter to Human Rights Association (IHD) Şırnak Branch on May 2, 2019, and stated that their social activity rights were being restricted, medical treatments of ill prisoners were not conducted regularly and some of the belongings of prisoners were seized by prison administration. In addition, HRA Şırnak Branch, HRFT Cizre Center, Şırnak Medical Chamber and Health and Social Service Employees Union (SES) Şırnak Branch made a visit to Şırnak T Type Prison on May 9, 2019 and that it is learned through the interviews made by prisoners that 8 prisoners were subjected to disciplinary proceedings and as a result of these proceedings, weight, blood pressure and blood sugar checks of the prisoners on hunger strike were not done since May 1, 2019.

The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 917 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on May 14, 2019 at 13.30 and 18.00.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on May 14, 2019, 2 people (Mahmut Konuk and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (İlker Işık and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained.

Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on May 14, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.

(05/166) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…

Nursel Tanrıverdi and Selvi Polat who make a sit-in protest at Bakırköy Square on May 13, 2019, to regain their jobs from which they had been dismissed by state of emergency decrees and who were detained by the police intervening the protest, are arrested by the court on May 14, 2019. Nursel Tanrıverdi and Selvi Polat were arrested and released 4 times by the court so far, and were acquitted on 6 different cases opened against them.

(05/167) Police Intervention and Prevention Against Protests in Kocaeli, İstanbul, Diyarbakır and Batman…

The protest of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties, about the hunger strike in prisons, which was to be held in front of Gebze M Type Prison on May 14, 2019, is prevented by the police on the grounds of governorate’s ban. It is learned that the police seized cameras of journalists watching the protest and gave them back after deleting the footage of the protest.

The police prevented the protest of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties, about the hunger strike in prisons, which was to be held at Koşuyolu Park in Bağlar district of Diyarbakır on May 14, 2019.

18 people who were detained by the police intervening the sit-in protest of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties, about the hunger strike in prisons, in Esenyurt district of Istanbul on May 13, 2019, are released after statement procedures at the police on May 14, 2019.

It is learned that People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Batman MP Feleknas Uca was subjected to police violence during the police intervention against the protest of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties, about the hunger strike in prisons in Batman on May 13, 2019; and that she was injured due to police violence. 11 people were detained in police intervention.

(05/168) Detained Journalist and ESP Member in İstanbul and Antalya…

On May 14, 2019, journalist Soner Karabulut and 5 members (Gülsen İmre, Ulaş İmre, Deniz İmre, Eren Mehdi Şen, Okan Gündüz) of The Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) including Sultangazi district chair Gülsen İmre are detained in house raids in Istanbul through an investigation against ESP members. The reason of detention is unknown.

On May 14, 2019, 2 members of ESP are detained in house raids Antalya. The names of detainees are: Vedat Oğuz and Aziz Özdoğan.

(05/169) Detained People in Urfa for Social Media Posts…

On May 14, 2019, 13 people are detained in house raids in Viranşehir district of Urfa, on the grounds of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation on social media’.

(05/170) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”…

The case against Research Assistant Hazal Halavut from Boğaziçi University for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 32 for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ is held on May 15, 2019. The court adjourned the trial to June 19, 2019.

The case against Assoc. Professor Süreyya Karacabey from Ankara University for the same reason is held on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 24 on May 15, 2019. The court decided to send the case to Ankara Heavy Penal Court on the basis of lack of venue.

(05/171) HDP MP On Trial…

The case against 35 people, including HDP Hakkari MP and Democratic Society Congress (DTK) Co-chair Leyla Güven and PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s siblings Mehmet Öcalan and Fatma Öcalan, for the events organized for Abdullah Öcalan’s birthday on April 4, 2017, is held on Urfa Heavy Penal Court No 6 on May 14, 2019. The court decided to send the case against Leyla Güven to the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office for review due to her being an MP and adjourned the trial to May 23, 2019.

(05/172) Police Officer on Trial in Diyarbakır…

Şahin Öner has died in Diyarbakır, on February 20, 2018, due to being hit by a police armoured vehicle during demonstrations to protest Abdullah Öcalan’s being taken to Turkey. The case against police officer S. K., driver of the armoured vehicle, on Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 1, for ‘wilful murder’, is held on May 14, 2019. The court decided to conduct a reconnaissance of the crime scene with all witnesses and the defendant and adjourned the trial.

(05/173) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…

The case against Fatih Polat, Evrensel newspaper executive editor, on the charge of ‘insulting the President’ in his article “What do respondents say about the allegations about Erdoğan family?”, started to be held on Bakırköy Penal Court of First Instance No 31 on May 14, 2019. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to September 17, 2019.

(05/174) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…

On May 14, 2019 31 people are detained through an Ankara based investigation against Army Aviation Command personnel; 16 people are detained in operations covering 6 cities through an Adana based investigation; 14 people are detained for using ByLock and having accounts at Bank Asya, in operations covering 5 cities through an Izmir based investigation; and 7 people are detained for using ByLock in Ankara.

(05/175) Penalty to a TV Channel…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 14, 2019 that Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) decided to cease the broadcasting of the newscast of TELE1 channel for 2 days, on the grounds of broadcasting the speech that HDP co-chair Sezai Temelli made at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

[1]The reports on the human rights violations of the Documentation Center are claims unless they are certified. The claim of violation either is certified through thoroughly investigations of HRFT Documentation Center, including by judicial verdicts, and becomes a definite data or it is not included to the annual report.

[2]To subscribe to the e-mail group: please write ‘daily human rights reports subscription application’ to the title of your e-mail and sent it to dokumantasyon@tihv.org.tr.

It is learned that, Yonca Akıcı, a prisoner kept in İzmir Şakran Women’s Closed Prison, who attempted to kill herself on March 29, 2019, to protest isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, died in hospital on April 1, 2019.

It is learned that the autopsy of Yonca Akıcı was made at Forensic Medicine Institution and her body was sent under intense safety measures to Ağrı for funeral.

It is claimed in the news coverage of April 1, 2019 that, People’s Democratic Party executive board member Çerxo Mimkara and Şehriban Mimkara, Tevbun Mimkara, Xebat Mimkara and Ahmet Mimkara, who were detained in Siverek district of Urfa on March 29, 2019, were subjected to torture and ill-treatment under custody.

It is stated in the news reports that those 5 people who were detained while dining at a restaurant were subjected to police violence on the street for about 45 minutes. It is reported that 5 people were subjected to torture and ill-treatment and were forced to be police informants at Siverek District Security Directorate and Anti-Terror Department of Urfa Police Headquarters afterwards.

It is learned from the news reports that 1 of those 5 people have fainted due to torture and was not taken to hospital.

(04/023) HDP Member Was Forced to Be a Police Informant in Adana…

It is learned from the news coverage of April 1, 2019 that, Mihriban Kılıç, a member of HDP’s Youth Assembly in Adana, was forced to be a police informant.

Mihriban Kılıç stated that she was being called when she was detained since January 30, 2019, by persons who claim to be “intelligence officers” and that those people say the following: “Help us. If you don’t help us, you and your family will be harmed. We will protect you and pay you. There is a continuous detention operation. Your friends give names to us why don’t you do the same? They are using you. We will get you a better telephone, get you clothes. Go to HDP office, either put your phone on voice recording or directly call us there. Attend the meetings of youth. Tell us what is going on there. Take photos. If you don’t help us, you and your family will be harmed. Don’t spend your youth, help us and you will enjoy your life”.

The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 874 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on April 1, 2019 at 13.30 and 18.00.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on April 1, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Acun Karadağ) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Mehmet Dersulu) were detained.

Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on April 1, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.

(04/025) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara…

The police intervened the protestors in front of Çankaya Public Health Directorate on April 1, 2019, who rally to regain their jobs from which they had been dismissed by state of emergency decrees, and detained 2 people (Mahmut Konuk, and 1 more person). It is learned that 2 people were released the same day.

(04/026) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…

The police intervened the public employees who make a sit-in protest at Bakırköy Square on April 1, 2019, who rally to regain their jobs from which they had been dismissed by state of emergency decrees, and detained 2 people (Nursel Tanrıverdi, Selvi Polat) by using physical violence. It is learned that Nursel Tanrıverdi and Selvi Polat are arrested by the court on the same day, on the grounds of ‘opposition to Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No 2911’ and ‘violating judicial control conditions’. It is the 4th time of arrest of Nursel Tanrıverdi and Selvi Polat.

(04/027) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…

Türkan Albayrak, who was dismissed from her job at Sarıyer district Health Department, on the grounds of ‘personnel security investigation’ and ‘archive search’, on August 3, 2018; made a press declaration to regain her job on April 1, 2019, and attempted for a sit-in protest in front of Health Department. The police intervened into the sit-in and detained Türkan Albayrak. It is learned that Türkan Albayrak was released the same day. It is the 107th time of detention of Türkan Albayrak.

(04/028) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…

On April 1, 2019, 3 people are detained in alleged attempt to illegally cross to Greece are detained in Edirne.

(04/029) Elections on March, 31…

It is learned that, Ali Suat Akmeşe, mayor candidate of Felicity Party for Çüngüş district of Diyarbakır, and a relative of him were attacked by anonymous and armed person or persons. It is learned that 2 people got injured and were taken to Dicle University Hospital.

(04/030) Ban on Events in Muş…

Muş Governorate made a declaration on April 1, 2019 and announced that all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, opening tents and stands and so on are banned for 15 days as of April 1, 2019.

[1]The reports on the human rights violations of the Documentation Center are claims unless they are certified. The claim of violation either is certified through thoroughly investigations of HRFT Documentation Center, including by judicial verdicts, and becomes a definite data or it is not included to the annual report.

[2]To subscribe to the e-mail group: please write ‘daily human rights reports subscription application’ to the title of your e-mail and sent it to dokumantasyon@tihv.org.tr.

It is learned that on March 31, 2019, 1 soldier died and 1 soldier got wounded due to an attack against security forces alleged to be committed by YPG, in Melkiye area of Azez city in Syria.

It is learned that a security booth, a market and a bus station was attacked by improvised explosives by anonymous person or persons in Sur district of Diyarbakır on March 30, 2019. It is reported that there were no casualties but material damage occurred at three places.

(04/002) Lawyers Prevented in Prison by Wardens…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 29, 2019 that, lawyers Özgür Çağlar, Saniye Saniye Biçici, A. Celil Akın and Pınar Dokuz from Prison Watch Committee of Human Rights Association (IHD) Mersin Branch, who visited prisoners on hunger strike in Tarsus T Type Prison No 2, were forced to submit their notes to wardens. It is reported that lawyers rejected to submit their notes and were not allowed to leave the prison. After negotiations with the prosecutor, lawyers were allowed to leave the prison on the condition of submitting their notes about the visit.

Lawyer Özgür Çağlar stated the following: “When we were interviewing the prisoners, the wardens were in front of the door watching us. They wanted us to give the forms when we were leaving. We stated that it was not legal and asked them to show us any legal basis to submit our notes. They prevented us to leave the prison at that time, they closed the doors. I called the chair of bar association, they took care of the issue. The prison prosecutors then arrived, they seized the forms and then we could leave the prison.

(04/003) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…

It is claimed in the news coverage of March 29, 2019 that, Aziz Okay, a prisoner who was transferred from Elazığ T Type Prison to Elazığ High Security Prison No 1 was forced to sing Turkish National Anthem and was subjected to physical violence for rejecting to do so.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 30, 2019 that 3 prisoners (Kemal Argış, Yahya Özmen and Vezir İbosovic) who are on hunger strike in Edirne F Type Prison, were subjected to physical violence of the wardens because they do not want to attend the trial of the case against them; and that they were forcefully taken to the courtroom.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 30, 2019 that, Veysel Adıgüzel, a prisoner on hunger strike in Manisa T Type Prison since March 1, 2019, was not given vitamin B1.

(04/004) Newspapers Not Allowed in Prison…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 29, 2019 that, prisoners in Elazığ High Security Prison No 1 were not given Cumhuriyet, Yeni Yaşam and Evrensel newspapers.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 30, 2019 that prisoners in Manisa T Type Prison were not given Yeni Yaşam newspaper since March 1, 2019.

(04/005) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan…

It is learned that the appeal made on March 29, 2019 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s sister and brother and tutelary along with the families of Hamili Yıldırım, Ömer Hayri Konar and Veysel Aktaş in order to visit, was rejected the same day on the grounds of limitations for prisoners in accordance with the Law on the Execution of Criminal and Security Measures Number 5275. Abdullah Öcalan’s brother Mehmet Öcalan, visited Abdullah Öcalan on January 12, 2019, for the first time since September 11, 2016.

(04/006) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan…

It is learned that the appeal made on March 29, 2019 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s lawyers in order to visit their client was rejected the same day on the grounds of limitations for prisoners in accordance with the law on the execution of sentences and security measures (law no 5275). With the last rejection, it was the 802nd time that appeals for visiting Öcalan have been rejected so far. Abdullah Öcalan has met his lawyers on July 27, 2011 for the last time.

The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 845 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on March 29, 30, and 31, 2019 at 13.30 and 18.00.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 29, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Acun Karadağ) and at 18.00 3 people (Nazan Bozkurt, Alev Şahin and Mehmet Dersulu) were detained.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 30, 2019, 3 people (Dağhan Beşli, Nazan Bozkurt and Alev Şahin) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Alev Şahin) were detained.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 31, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and İlker Işık) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Acun Karadağ) were detained.

Thus in total 14 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on March 29, 30, and 31, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.

(04/008) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara…

The police intervened the press declaration of TAYAD in Sakarya Street of Ankara on March 30, 2019, to commemorate Mahir Çayan and his friends who died in Kızıldere on March 30, 47 years ago, and detained 2 people (Taylan Sungur and Bülent Özgül).

Police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square in Istanbul to prevent Saturday Mothers who rally every Saturday for 23 years in the same place to gather for the 731st time on March 30, 2019. Upon police prevention, the group including MP’s as well as representatives of political parties, human rights defenders and artists along with families of disappeared people gather in front of Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul office and started to march. It is reported that the police blockaded the street of IHD Istanbul office too.

(04/010) Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul…

“F sit-in”, which is organized for the 366th time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prison Watch Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on March 30, 2019, is prevented by the police. The police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square. Human rights defenders made the press declaration in front of IHD Istanbul office.

(04/011) Detained HDP Executive in Urfa…

On March 30, 2019, 6 people including People’s Democratic Party (HDP) executive board member Çerxo Mimkara, are detained in house raids in Siverek district of Urfa. The names of detained people are: Çerxo Mimkara, Şehriban Mimkara, Tevbun Mimkara, Xebat Mimkara, Ahmet Mimkara and Ayşe (surname unknown).

(04/012) Detained Asylum Seekers for Photographs on Their Phones in Mardin…

It is learned that 2 asylum seekers (Sipan Melek and Mahsum Melek) are detained during road checks in Midyat district of Mardin on March 30, 2019, on the grounds of photographs on their phones.

(04/013) Human Rights Defender on Trial in Çanakkale for Social Media Posts…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 29, 2019 that, Penal Department 2 of Bursa Regional Court has declared the justification of the reverse decision on 2 years and 6 months’ sentence given by Çanakkale Heavy Penal Court No 2, to Hayrettin Pişkin, Human Rights Association (IHD) executive board member, for his social media posts. It is reported in the news that, the justification states the following: “Expression by all means of thoughts including the ones that oppose the majority, providing partners to these thoughts, realization of and convincing others to realize these thoughts are among the essentials of pluralist democratic order (…) Freedom of expression and of spreading thoughts, which is one of the primary basis of democratic society, is applied not only to ‘thoughts’ that are considered to be in favour, or harmless, or not worth to care, or insignificant but also to thoughts and news which are opposite to the state and to a section of the society, which are considered as striking for them, which bother them (…) In order to consider the act as making propaganda for a terrorist organisation, it is an obligation that the act was committed in way that it ‘legitimize or praise or promote the methods of the organisation that involves force, violence or threat’ and this obligation complies with European Convention of Human Rights (…) Struggle against terrorism is also a law regime. It is not an area where obligations that arise from international law could be neglected.”

(04/014) Writer on Trial in Diyarbakır…

The final trial of the case against writer Bülent Tekin, for his social media posts, is held on Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 11 is held on March 29, 2019. The court sentenced Bülent Tekin to 1 year and 8 months for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and deferred the announcement of the verdict.

(04/015) Singer on Trial…

The case against singer Ferhat Tunç, on the grounds of ‘inciting hatred and hostility among people’ in his social media posts, is held on Büyükçekmece Penal Court of First Instance No 4 on March 29, 2019. Ferhat Tunç did not attend the trial and the court issued a warrant for Ferhat Tunç and adjourned the trial.

(04/016) Journalist and Other People on Trial in Denizli…

The case against Gökhan Öner, reporter of Dicle News Agency which was closed by a state of emergency decree, and against Mehmet Diler, Erol Beler, Muhlis Kayar and Eyyüp Hansu, on the grounds of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ is held on Denizli Heavy Penal Court No 2 on March 29, 2019. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to April 15, 2019.

Gökhan Öner was detained on April 28, 2018 in Denizli and then was arrested. He was released on judicial control conditions on the first trial of the case against him, held on July 28, 2018.

(04/017) Proceedings Against Parliamentary Members…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 29, 2019 that, 83 proceedings against 43 parliamentary members including HDP co-chairs Pervin Buldan and Sezai Temelli, and Republican People’s Party chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, are submitted to the Constitution and Justice Committee of the Grand National Assembly.

The name of the TİP MP subjected to proceedings are: Barış Atay (1 proceeding).

The name of the AKP MP subjected to proceedings are: Hulusi Şentürk (1 proceeding).

(04/018) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…

On March 29, 2019, 6 military members on active duty are detained through an Ankara based investigation against Land Forces Command staff.

It is learned that 2 people for whom a detention warrant was issued are detained at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, while they were attempting to leave the country with fake passports on March 30, 2019.

(04/019) Elections on March, 31…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 29, 2019 that, in Cizre district of Şırnak, organisation committee of Newroz celebration and HDP’s co-mayor candidates Berivan Kutlu and Mehmet Ziriğ were asked to give official statements to District Security Directorate. It is reported that the statements were asked for speeches made at Newroz celebration.

It is learned that balloons with “Her demand is our demand – Leyla Güven” expressions on, which were prepared by HDP Diyarbakır provincial organisation to use during autocade for electoral campaign on March 29, 2019 were prevented to be taken out of the provincial office by the police.

On March 29, 2019, 8 of 11 people including HDP Adana provincial co-chair Gülseren Tural and Seyhan Municipal council member candidate Hüseyin Beyaz, who were detained in Adana on March 20, 2019, are arrested by the court on the charges of “leading an illegal organisation”, “being an illegal organisation member”, “committing crime, plundering and threatening on behalf of an illegal organisation”. 3 people (HDP Seyhan district co-chair Hazım Yalçın, Mehmet Ali Alak, Siraç Alak) are released on judicial control conditions. The names of arrested people are: HDP Adana provincial co-chair Gülseren Tural, Seyhan Municipal council member candidate Hüseyin Beyaz, Seyhan Municipal council’s former member Enver Ökmen, provincial executives M. Sait Eren, Ali Aslan, Yaşar Demir and HDP members Ahmet Alak, Mustafa Yıldız.

On March 29, 2019, 14 of 24 people who were detained in Çatak district of Van on March 26, 2019, are arrested by the court on the charge of “aiding and abetting an illegal organisation”. The names of arrested people are: Nihat Babur, Attar Ertaş, Meran Kaplan, Tajdin Balka, Özgür Örek, Celalettin Örek, Fahrettin Örek, Kasım Başkurt, Abdurrahman Semo, Mehmet Şirin Tuci, Hikmet Tomay, Cemal Tomak, İskender Tafur and İsmail Can.

On March 29, 2019, 11 people including Gazal Ülük and Halil Orhan, HDP’s candidates for district council, are detained in house raids in Viranşehir district of Urfa. The names of detainees known so far are: Gazal Ülük, Halil Orhan, Eyüp Türk, Ali Elbenim, Eşref Taşkın, Haşim Erdem, Nurettin Erin.

On March 29, 2019, HDP’s campaign office in Siirt is raided by the police. It is reported that the reason of the raid was “propaganda for an illegal organisation”, and that the police left the office without seizing anything.

It is learned that the banner of Labour Party, “No vote for one-man power! Unite for struggle of work, bread and freedom… Vote for Mustafa Öcal, the independent candidate for Maltepe district council”, which was held in Maltepe district of Istanbul, was removed because of President Tayyip Erdoğan’s meeting in Maltepe. It is reported that Maltepe district police chief called Tunç Şenel, Maltepe district chair of Labour Party, and said “The President will come to Maltepe in a few hours. Remove the banner otherwise metropolitan municipality will do so”. It is reported that officials of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality removed the banner.

It is learned that Steve Sweeney, foreign news editor of Britain based Morning Star newspaper, was detained in Turkey on March 28, 2019, where he came to monitor the local elections and was deported on March 29, 2019.

It is claimed in the news coverage of March 30, 2019 that, gendarmerie and military members going to villages and hamlets of Hazro district of Diyarbakır, threatened the local people saying “We will arrest you if you vote for HDP. There are cameras at schools, we will be seeing who you vote for, put yourself together”.

9 people who were detained on March 29, 2019 in Viranşehir district of Urfa, are released on March 30, 2019.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 30, 2019 that, vice president Fuat Oktay responded to the parliamentary question of CHP MP Alpay Antmen, on broadcasting of Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) about political parties between March 16 and March 20, 2019. According to the response, TRT broadcasted 27 hours and 3 minutes in favour of Justice and Development Party (AKP) and National Movement Party (MHP); whereas 3 hours and 29 minutes in favour of CHP and İYİ Party. TRT did not broadcasted at all in favour of HDP within this period.

The Supreme Electoral Council, lifted the decision issued on February 22, 2019, to remove the ballot box of Koçlar neighbourhood of Diyarbakır’s Kulp district to Aygün neighbourhood, on March 30, 2019.

In a school in Bölünmez neighbourhood of Malatya’s Pütürge district, a quarrel took place between a group of voters and polling clerks, which resulted in death of 2 members (İlyas Aktaş and Hasan Aktaş) of Felicity Party (SP) by gunfire that also injured 1 person. Pütürge Court of Peace imposed a broadcast ban on the incident.

3 people died and 6 people got wounded in the armed quarrel between local headman candidates and their relatives in Şehitkamil district of Antep.

1 person died and 2 people got wounded in the armed quarrel between local headman candidates and their relatives in Şefaatli district of Yozgat.

11 people got wounded in a quarrel between local headman candidates in Çarşamba district of Samsun.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 31, 2019, 6 people died and 58 people got wounded in quarrels took place during elections in Turkey.

It is learned that village guards in Kayahan village of Diyarbakır’s Kulp district, committed physical violence against the committee arrived to monitor the local elections and prevented them.

It is learned that Jinnews reporter Gülistan Azak, who was reporting on elections in Bağlar district of Diyarbakır was threatened by the police saying “You cannot record here. It’s not certain who you work for get out of here you are terrorist”, and was subjected to physical violence of the police. It is also learned that HDP’s Bağlar district co-mayor candidate Zübeyde Zümrüt, who reacted the police was also subjected to physical violence of the police.

Sonia Helene Rosset and Noemi Colombo, two people among the Italian committee who came to Hani district of Diyarbakır to monitor the local elections, are detained. It is learned that 2 people were kept in district security directorate for 3 hours and then were released.

It is learned that Nevzat Fidan, a poll clerk on behalf of HDP who was subjected to physical violence of poll clerks of AKP in Saray district of Van, was detained and taken to Karahisar Gendarmerie Station.

It is learned that a quarrel took place between village guards who came up to vote in official uniforms and poll clerks of HDP in Siirt, and that a police officer said to HDP MP Sıddık Taş “You are not our representative. You are terrorist’s representative”. It is reported that the village guards could vote after taking off their uniforms.

It is learned that a local headman candidate in Ömerli district of Mardin, torn the voting paper of a voter. It is learned that the poll committee considered the vote as invalid and the voter has appealed to District Election Board.

It is learned that 3 poll clerks (Hüseyin Sağlam, Azat Tekin and İdris Mesken) on behalf of HDP are detained in house raids in Yeşilli district of Mardin on March 31, 2019. It is learned that Hüseyin Sağlam was released the same day and 2 people are still under custody.

It is learned that HDP MP Nuran İmir, who went to Artukoğlu Middle School in Cizre district of Şırnak to vote was forced to body search by the police officers at the school.

It is learned that military members attempted to vote in uniforms although they were not on duty, in Edip Başer Elementary School in Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak, and they could vote after taking off their uniforms upon HDP’s poll clerks’ objection.

It is learned that in Viranşehir district of Urfa, AKP MP Halil Özsavlı’s guards and relatives attempted to attack HDP members in Cumhuriyet neighbourhood Ulubat Middle School, with kalashnikov guns. It is learned that the police used pepper spray against HDP members.

It is learned that, numerous police officers coming from Mersin to Halfeti district of Urfa on the election day, voted in Halfeti Anatolian High School without submitting the official document which enables public officers on official duty to vote in a poll other than they are registered to.

Fatih Bucak, CHP’s mayor candidate for Urfa’s Siverek district, is detained on March 31, 2019, on the grounds of “battering” Nüsret Kaya, AKP’s city council member candidate.

It is claimed that in Emek Celal Bayar Elementary School in Osmangazi district of Bursa, AKP members delivered supplies to voters who show they voted for AKP. It is learned that AKP members delivering supplies were taken out of the school upon objections from several voters.

On March 31, 2019, footage of a high-rank military member, sitting in front of the poll and of several military members with arms wandering around the voting booth in Esendere town of Hakkari’s Yüksekova district is covered by news reports.

It is learned that in Nene Hatun Anatolian School in central district of Iğdır, poll counting was performed in a closed room and HDP MP Habip Eksik who rejected this was taken out of the school upon district police chief’s instruction.

It is learned that 270 prisoners in Giresun E Type Prison were prevented from voting although they were on voters list. It is learned from HDP Kocaeli MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu’s social media post that only 80 prisoners could vote.

It is learned that in an around Piripaşa Elementary School in Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, some leaflets against CHP’s Beyoğlu mayor candidate Alper Taş were delivered on March 31, 2019. It is learned that the leaflets were signed by “Beyoğlu Patriotic Initiative” and had “Dear brother, if you don’t go they will come” expression along with Fetullah Gülen’s photo, PKK and YPG flags and HDP and ÖDP emblems.

It is learned that the police intervened into the people gathering in front of HDP Batman office to celebrate the election results who then march towards the municipality building. It is learned that the police used pepper spray and pressurized water and many people were injured.

(04/020) Ban on Events in Urfa…

Urfa Governorate made a declaration on March 29, 2019 and announced that all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, opening tents and stands and so on are banned as of 08.00 on April 1, 2019 until 24.00 on April 6, 2019.

[1]The reports on the human rights violations of the Documentation Center are claims unless they are certified. The claim of violation either is certified through thoroughly investigations of HRFT Documentation Center, including by judicial verdicts, and becomes a definite data or it is not included to the annual report.

[2]To subscribe to the e-mail group: please write ‘daily human rights reports subscription application’ to the title of your e-mail and sent it to dokumantasyon@tihv.org.tr.

It is reported that Ayten Becet’s body was taken to Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institution and then was sent to Antep by the police, where she was buried by a group of 20 people. It is also learned that a group including People’s Democratic Party (HDP) MP’s Mahmut Toğrul, Ayşe Sürücü, Ömer Öcalan, Fatma Kurtulan, Rıdvan Turan, Tülay Hatimoğulları, Saliha Aydeniz and Semra Güzel were prevented from attending the funeral by the police and gendarmerie. It is reported that Ayten Becet’s family applied to Şahinbey Municipality which is governed by Justice and Development Party (AKP) in order to use public condolence room, but was rejected by the municipality.

Süleyman Soylu, the Minister of Interior made a speech at AKP’s meeting in Nevşehir and stated the following about Zülküf Gezen’s funeral to which MP’s were prevented from attending: “A terrorist died in prison the other day. They were going to get the funeral in Diyarbakır and bury. I called the Security Director. I said ‘You will not let them around the airport. You will not let anybody 1 km around the cemetery’. It is not possible for us to tolerate this.”

It is learned that Zehra Sağlam’s body was first taken to Erzurum Forensic Medicine Institution and then was taken by gendarmerie to Kayalıkale village of Muş’s Varto district. It is learned that Muş Governorate banned to enter and to leave Kayalıkale village where the funeral will be held, and the group including HDP MP’s to attend the funeral was pretended from entering the village. Zehra Sağlam’s funeral was held by a few family members under gendarmerie’s blockade.

A group including Democratic Regions Party (DBP) co-chair Mehmet Arslan, People’s Democratic Congress (DTK) co-spokesperson and HDP Muş MP Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit and HDP MP’s were not allowed in the village by gendarmerie based on Muş Governorate’s interdict.

(03/326) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 22, 2019 that 1 soldier got wounded due to fire opened by HPG militants to a gendarmerie station in rural areas of Arıcak district of Elazığ.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 22, 2019 that in a clash between HPG militants and security forces in rural areas of Derik district of Mardin on March 18, 2019.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that 1 soldier (Yavuz Uygun) died and 20 soldiers got wounded due to roll-over of an armoured military vehicle in Silopi district of Şırnak.

(03/327) Person Who Was Subjected to Physical Violence of the Police in Bitlis…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 22, 2019 that, Fırat Akbalık, a person who attended Newroz celebration in Tatvan district of Bitlis, was stopped by the police afterwards and was taken to nearby the police cars where he was beaten for minutes. It is reported that Fırat Akbalık was released after a while and he took a medical report evidencing the violence he was subjected to.

(03/328) Person Who Was Subjected to Physical Violence of the Police in Adana…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that, Burhan Erol, HDP provincial Youth Assembly member, was subjected to physical violence of the police for wearing Kurdish traditional outwear (şal û şepik) during Newroz celebration in Adana on March 21, 2019.

It is reported that Burhan Erol was not allowed in the celebration, on the grounds of his outwear, and then was subjected to physical violence at the security booth he was taken to. Burhan Erol was the taken to a police car, and was forced to be a police informer by the police saying “You should help us. And we will help you in turn. Does HDP has any relation with PKK? Tell us”. It is learned that Burhan Erol was kept in the car for a while and then was released.

(03/329) Hunger Strike in Prison…

It is learned that Selçuk Kozağaçlı, Aycan Çiçek, Behiç Aşçı, Engin Gökoğlu and Aytaç Ünsal, lawyers from Contemporary Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD) and People’s Law Office, quit the hunger strike on March 24, 2019, after 59 days.

(03/330) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that, lawyers from Association of Lawyers for Freedom, visited 7 prisoners (Aziz Yalçın, Özkan Kart, Ramazan Sebuktekin, Hacı Sincar, Ali Delabak, Ali Emirhani and Hikmet Çalakan) on hunger strike who were transferred from Kayseri Bünyan T Type Prison to Maraş Türkoğlu T Type Prison under coercion. It is learned that the prisoners stated during interviews that they are kept as 3 prisoners in one-prisoner wards; they were subjected to physical violence of the wardens 2 times a day for rejecting to stand in military order during roll-calls; the vitamins needed by prisoners on hunger strike were not given to them and they were not medically examined regularly.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that, Yeni Yaşam newspaper was not given to prisoners kept in Bakırköy Women’s Prison, on the grounds that it “causes encoded communication between prisons”.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that, all belongings including kettles, tea, sugar, salt and juice of 5 prisoners (Şemsettin Erdem, Mustafa Çaçur, Arif Sezgin, Özgür Çelik and Ferhat Kurt) were seized in Manisa T Type Prison. It is also reported in the news that Şemsettin Erdem, a prisoner on hunger strike was not given carbonate although prison doctor demanded so.

(03/331) Censored Mail from Prison…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 22, 2019 that, a letter written by journalist Nedim Türfent, who is kept in prison, was censored because of a citation from Iranian writer Daryush Shayegan’s book. It is reported that the letter was sent after the lines cited were stricken through.

(03/332) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan…

It is learned that the appeal made on March 22, 2019 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s sister and brother and tutelary along with the families of Hamili Yıldırım, Ömer Hayri Konar and Veysel Aktaş in order to visit, was rejected the same day on the grounds of limitations for prisoners in accordance with the Law on the Execution of Criminal and Security Measures Number 5275. Abdullah Öcalan’s brother Mehmet Öcalan, visited Abdullah Öcalan on January 12, 2019, for the first time since September 11, 2016.

(03/333) Lawyer Meeting Prohibition for 6 Months for Abdullah Öcalan…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 23, 2019 that Bursa Office of Judge of Execution No 1 has extended prohibition from lawyer meetings applied to PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. With the last verdict, lawyer meeting ban has been extended for the 4th time.

The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 866 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on March 22, 23, and 24, 2019 at 13.30 and 18.00.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 22, 2019, 3 people (Nazan Bozkurt, Mehmet Dersulu and Alev Şahin) and at 18.00 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Acun Karadağ) were detained.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 23, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Alev Şahin) and at 18.00 3 people (Nazan Bozkurt, Mehmet Dersulu and Alev Şahin) were detained.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 24, 2019, 2 people (Merve Demirel and Ahmet Çakır) and at 18.00 2 people (Merve Demirel and Sinan Yanbal) were detained. It is learned that Merve Demirel was injured at hand due to police intervention on March 24, 2019.

Thus in total 14 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on March 22, 23, and 24, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.

(03/335) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…

Türkan Albayrak, who was dismissed from her job at Sarıyer district Health Department, on the grounds of ‘personnel security investigation’ and ‘archive search’, on August 3, 2018; made a press declaration to regain her job on March 22, 2019, and attempted for a sit-in protest in front of Health Department. The police intervened into the sit-in and detained Türkan Albayrak. It is learned that Türkan Albayrak was released the same day. It is the 103rd time of detention of Türkan Albayrak.

(03/336) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara…

On March 23, 2019, Cemal Yıldırım, making a press declaration on Sakarya Street in Çankaya district of Ankara in order to regain his job from which he was dismissed, is detained by police intervention.

Police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square in Istanbul to prevent Saturday Mothers who rally every Saturday for 23 years in the same place to gather for the 730th time on March 23, 2019. Upon police prevention, the group including People’s Democratic Party (HDP) MP Oya Ersoy, and Republican People’s Party (CHP) MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu as well as representatives of political parties, human rights defenders and artists along with families of disappeared people gather in front of Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul office and started to march. It is reported that the police blockaded the street of IHD Istanbul office too.

(03/338) Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul…

“F sit-in”, which is organized for the 365th time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prison Watch Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on March 23, 2019, is prevented by the police. The police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square. Human rights defenders made the press declaration in front of IHD Istanbul office.

(03/339) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…

The police intervened into the press declaration of HDP in front of Forensic Medicine Institution in Yenibosna district of Istanbul, about Ayten Becet’s killing herself in Gebze Women’s Prison on March 23, 2019 to protest isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. The police intervened the group once again after they march towards Şirinevler, and detained 4 people (Muhammet Erkmen, Şiar Kesen, Çetin Demir and Marif Alparslan) by using physical violence. 4 people are released on March 24, 2019 provided that 3 of them on judicial control conditions.

(03/340) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Diyarbakır…

11 people who were detained in police intervention against the silent protest of TJA (Free Women’s Movement) activists, organized in Yenişehir district of Diyarbakır on March 20, 2019, about hunger strike of Leyla Güven; are released on house confinement conditions by the court on March 24, 2019. The names of detained people are: Democratic Regions Party (DBP) provincial co-chair Rewşen Karademir, HDP Yenişehir district co-chair Demet Özkaran, Sur district co-chair Sevim Coşkun, HDP Party Assembly member Nevriye Çur, TJA activists Safiye Akdağ, Remziye Sızıcı, Ronda Bat, Halime Akyol, Leyla İnal, Ayten Aytin and Ayfer Bakır.

40 people including singer Serhat Çarneva, who were detained at Newroz celebration in Ağrı on March 21, 2019, are released after statement procedures at the police on March 22, 2019.

(03/345) Detained People in Newroz Celebration in Batman…

32 people who were detained in Newroz celebration in Batman on March 21, 2019 are released by the court on March 23, 2019.

(03/346) Detained People in Newroz Celebration in Yüksekova…

4 people (HDP district executive Mehmet Emin Seven, DBP executive Nurettin Atsız, Seracettin Kına and Derya Özdemir) who were detained in Yüksekova district of Hakkari on March 20, 2019, while they were hanging banners in the Newroz celebration venue, are released on March 22, 2019.

Human Rights Association (IHD) executive board former member Adnan Vural; Office Banking and Insurance Workers’ Union (BES) Ankara Branch No 1 chair İsmet Meydan; Democratic Alewi Association (DAD) Ankara Branch co-chair Mustafa Karabudak and HDP member Gülistan Tekin, who were detained in house raids in Ankara on March 19, 2019 are released by the court on March 22, 2019.

(03/348) Detained HDP and DBP Executives in Mardin…

It is learned that a car in which Jinnews reporter Rojda Aydın, Mezopotamya News Agency reporter Ahmet Kanbal, HDP Party Assembly member Nesrin Çeçen and DBP Party Assembly member Koçer Sason were travelling in Savur district of Mardin was stopped by the police on March 22, 2019. It is learned that the police took the car to Mardin Police Headquarters and seized technical equipment such as cameras, and a quarrel took place between journalists and police officers who afterwards committed physical violence against journalists.

It is learned that technical equipment of 2 journalists were seized and they were released while Nesrin Çeçen and Koçer Sason were detained.

(03/349) Detained HDP Executive in Mardin…

HDP Party Assembly member Berat Kıran is detained while leaving HDP Mardin office on March 24, 2019.

Thus the number of detainees through this investigation is 27 including 3 Party Assembly members of HDP and DBP.

(03/350) Detained HDP Member in Batman…

7 people including HDP Youth Assembly member Mehmet Yıldırım who were detained in house raids in Batman on March 20, 2019 are released by the court on March 23, 2019. 2 (Emine Erden and Mehmet Yıldırım) of them are released on judicial control conditions. The names of detained people were: Reşit Erden, Halil Erden, Mahsum Erden, Adil Erden, Sonya Erden, Emine Erden and Mehmet Yıldırım.

(03/351) Detained People in Bursa…

12 of 28 people who were detained in house raids in Bursa on March 20, 2019 and following days, are referred to the court on March 22, 2019. 2 people (singers İzzet Gül and Denge Îzo) are arrested, 10 people (Mazlum Canlı, Suat Akbal, Tugay Ketmen, Yunus Yavuz, Mensure Dumlayıcı, Yunus Akyol, Doğan Teber, Cemal Bozkurt, Ümit Karakaya and İzzet Işık) are released.

(03/352) Detained People in Sakarya…

Seyfettin Çetin, 1 of 4 people who were detained in Sakarya on March 20, 2019 is arrested by the court on March 22, 2019. 3 people are released on judicial control conditions.

(03/353) Detained People in Tunceli…

2 people (Doğan Can Sarıtaş and Ali Haydar Baran) who were detained in Tunceli, on March 21, 2019 are released after statement procedures at the police on March 22, 2019. 2 people were detained for not shaking hands with Tunceli mayor and trustee of Tunceli Municipality Tuncay Somel, while they were sitting in front of HDP’s campaign office at Seyit Rıza Square.

(03/354) Detained HDP Executives in Bitlis…

HDP Bitlis executives Maruf Kartal, Yüksel Ozan, Enver Yavuz and Muhammet Mehdi Turan who were detained in central and Tatvan districts of Bitlis on March 20, 2019, are arrested by the court on March 22, 2019. 5 people (HDP former executive Suat Altun, Mehmet Salih Türk, Cemal Türk, Fesih Gürbüz and Mehmet Şerif Aslan) who were detained through the same investigation are released.

(03/355) Detained HDP Executive in Adana…

On March 22, 2019, HDP district co-chair Hazım Yalçın is detained in a house raid in Seyhan district of Adana.

(03/356) Detained HDP and DBP Executives in Mardin…

DBP Mardin co-chair Leyla Bozkurt and HDP Nusaybin district co-chair Samiye Demir, who were detained in Mardin are released after statement procedures on March 24, 2019.

(03/357) Newspaper Employee Detained in Mardin…

Mizgin Sırnaç, distributor of Yeni Yaşam newspaper, is detained in a house raid in Artuklu district of Mardin on March 24, 2019.

(03/358) Arrested People in Osmaniye for Social Media Posts…

2 of 5 people who were detained in Osmaniye on March 22, 2019, for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation on social media’, are arrested by the court on March 24, 2019. 3 people are released on judicial control conditions.

(03/359) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”…

The case against Research Assistant Seçil Ercan from Marmara University for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 33 for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ are held on March 15, 2019. The court adjourned the trial to July 5, 2019, in order to complete rogatory process.

(03/360) Villagers Who Were Subjected to Torture and Ill-Treatment of the Police are on Trial in Van…

The final trial of the case against Abdulselam Aslan, Cemal Aslan, Halil Aslan and Nejdet Beysüm, on Van Heavy Penal Court No 5, on the grounds of ‘knowingly and willingly aiding an illegal organisation’ is held on March 22, 2019. The court acquitted 4 people.

Abdulselam Aslan (32), Cemal Aslan (53), Halil Aslan (48) and Nejdet Beysüm (29), 4 villagers who were detained in Gevaş district of Van on June 9, 2017, while they were gathering mushrooms; were taken to Gevaş Security Directorate and were subjected to torture and ill-treatment there. Photographs taken at the police station which evidence the torture and ill-treatment has been covered by the press. 4 villagers were then released by the court on judicial control conditions.

(03/361) The Case Against Human Rights Defender and Executives of HDP and DBP in Malatya…

After defence hearings the court decided to release Aziz Doğan and Gönül Öztürkoğlu on judicial control conditions and adjourned the trial.

IHD Malatya branch chair Gönül Öztürkoğlu and Nermin Tuncel, Özcan Ağdaş, Aziz Doğan were detained in Malatya on November 27, 2018 and were arrested on November 30, 2018. Nermin Tuncel and Özcan Ağdaş were released on judicial control conditions on February 22, 2019.

(03/362) Journalist on Trial in Bursa…

The case against journalist Emrah Çaçan on Bursa Heavy Penal Court No 8 is held on March 22, 2019. The indictment demands sentence for Emrah Çaçan, for his news reports on Dicle News Agency and his social media posts. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to July 18, 2019.

Emrah Çaçan was detained in Bursa on January 6, 2017 and was arrested by the court on January 13, 2017. Emrah Çaçan was released on September 14, 2017.

(03/363) Police Officer on Trial for Mazlum Kaynak’s Death…

The final trial of the case against police officer Nüfer Yılmaz, on the grounds of killing Mazlum Kaynak, is held on Sakarya Heavy Penal Court No 3 on March 22, 2019. Police officer Nüfer Yılmaz, has detained Mazlum Kaynak in Istanbul on suspicion of robbery and killed him on August 14, 2015, in front of the court house in Karasu district of Sakarya, on the grounds of alleged attempt of Kaynak to escape. The prosecutor demands sentence for the defendant police officer on the charge of ‘reckless killing’. The court sentenced Nüfer Yılmaz to 2 years and 6 months for ‘intentional killing within legitimate defence’, and reduced the sentence to 1 year 6 months and 22 days. The court then converted the jail sentence to a fine of 22.680 Turkish Liras.

(03/364) Prosecution Against HDP MP’s…

It is learned that İzmir Security Directorate made an official complaint against HDP MP’s Serpil Kemalbay, Feleknas Uca and Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, for their speeches at Newroz celebration in Izmir on March 21, 2019.

(03/365) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…

On March 22, 2019, a detention warrant is issued against 126 people including 108 lawyers, through an Istanbul based investigation. 60 people are detained in operations in 37 cities.

On March 22, 2019, 8 former employees of HAVELSAN are detained in Ankara, and 5 people are detained in Muğla.

(03/366) Elections on March, 31…

4 of 12 people including Felicity Party’s (SP) city council candidate Turan Tekgül and People’s Democratic Congress (HDK) executive board member Seher Beytaş, who were detained in Kocaeli on March 18, 2019, are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ on March 22, 2019. The names of arrested people are: HDP Derince district co-chair Çetin Macak, HDP Derince district executive Burhan Yorgun, HDP members Ahmet Akboğa and Said Demirkaya.

HDP Bulanık district former co-chair Cevdet Yaşar, HDP Malazgirt district former co-chair and HDP’s Malazgirt city council candidate İhsan Keklik and a person named Atilla (surname unknown) are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ on March 22, 2019.

HDP Party Assembly member İlker Murat Aydın who was detained in Mersin on March 19, 2019 while he was on electoral campaign, is released by the court on judicial control conditions on March 22, 2019.

It is learned that campaign stand of HDP in Kadıköy district of Istanbul was removed by the police without any reason on March 22, 2019. It is learned that the police seized the leaflets and detained 5 members of HDP who reject them.

7 people including HDP’s Çelikhan district co-mayor candidate Hüseyin Uzun, who were detained in house raids in Pınarbaşı town of Çelikhan district in Adıyaman on March 19, 2019, are released by the court on judicial control conditions on March 23, 2019. The names of detained people were: Hüseyin Uzun, Turan Uzun, Efkan Sucu, Mehmet Öztorun, Şerif Yumrutepe, Ertan Çalışkan and Hüseyin Düz.

It is learned that on March 23, 2019 in Birecik district of Urfa, a Felicity Party (SP) member, Mustafa Aslan is assaulted with arms by a person named R.K. and was injured at the leg. It is learned that R.K. then assaulted SP’s campaign office too but nobody was injured in this incident. It is learned that R.K. is detained.

3 people including singer Hozan Serwan, who were detained after opening of a campaign office of HDP in Urfa on March 17, 2019, are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ on March 23, 2019. The names of arrested people are: Hozan Serwan, Mustafa Yavusus and Mehmet Tosun.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that, flags and banners of HDP candidates in central district of Ağrı, were removed by municipality police on the instruction of Ağrı Municipality which is governed by an appointed trustee.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that, flags and banners of HDP candidates in Muradiye district of Van, were removed by municipality police on the instruction of Muradiye Municipality which is governed by an appointed trustee.

On March 24, 2019, unknown person or persons attacked HDP’s office in Sapanca district of Sakarya with molotov bomb. It is learned that the attack caused material damage at the office while there is nobody injured.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that District Election Board in Gürpınar district of Van decided to move 29 ballot boxes which covers 3643 voters to another places.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that District Election Board in Hani district of Diyarbakır decided to move 3 ballot boxes to another places.

[1]The reports on the human rights violations of the Documentation Center are claims unless they are certified. The claim of violation either is certified through thoroughly investigations of HRFT Documentation Center, including by judicial verdicts, and becomes a definite data or it is not included to the annual report.

[2]To subscribe to the e-mail group: please write ‘daily human rights reports subscription application’ to the title of your e-mail and sent it to dokumantasyon@tihv.org.tr.

The
investigation concerning the Gezi protests of 2013 has been concluded, and 16
persons, including Osman Kavala and Yiğit Aksakoğlu, who have both been
detained pending trial, were indicted. It has been announced that the
indictment was accepted on March 4, 2019 by Istanbul 30th High
Criminal Court and the first hearing will be held on June 24-25, 2019.

There is no rational explanation that requires the
publicly recognized human rights defenders to be kept in jail pending trial. Kavala
and Aksakoğlu must be immediately released without resorting to stereotypical
and abstract justifications, such as “nature of the crime” or “circumstances of
evidence”, as it was done before to the detainees of Büyükada Case as well as
Şebnem Korur Fincancı and Erol Önderoğlu, who had detained for participating in
the Editor-in-Chief on Watch campaign, who were all released after the
indictments against them were filed.

The severe oppression of civil society should come to
an end and a legal system in compliance with the human rights treaties to which
Turkey is also a party should be reestablished.

Developments regarding the case

Osman Kavala had
been arrested on 18 October2017 at the Istanbul Atatürk Airport on his way back
from Gaziantep, where he had attended a civil society event, and had
subsequently been detained on 1 November 2017 and put in Silivri Prison.
Leading up to his arrest and detention, a systematic defamation and
criminalization campaign was underway in the media against him and the other
members of civil society and human rights organizations.

The legal
representatives of Kavala lodged applications to both the Constitutional Court
and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on grounds of unlawful and
unjustified detention. The ECtHR had granted priority to the case of Kavala,
and requested from the Government of Turkey to submit their observations by
January 10, 2019 on Kavala’s unlawful detention as well as deprivation of his liberty, which becomes an arbitrary form of
punishment in itself. Ministry of
Justice had requested for an extension of six weeks, and it was announced on
the last day of this time period that the indictment was filed. Approximately
two weeks ago, it was released to the press, before the defendants and their
legal representatives were officially notified.

On 16 November 2018,
an arrest warrant was issued against 20 persons in connection with the
investigation of Osman Kavala and Gezi protests. Except for six, who were
abroad at the time, they were all arrested after their homes were raided by
police at six o’clock in the morning. On 17 November 2018, they were released
after their statements were taken, however, only Bernard van Leer Foundation’s
Turkey Representative Yiğit Aksakoğlu was detained.

It is learned that a specialised sergeant, Mehmet Darıcı, on duty at Siirt Gendarmerie Command died due to a traffic accident.

(03/044) Suspicious Death of a Soldier…

Turkish Armed Forces announced on March 4, 2019 that Uğur Çakmak, a soldier on compulsory military service at Armoured Brigade Command No 172 in Çalışkan town of Silopi district of Şırnak, died “as a result of a weapon accident during watch”. It is learned that Uğur Çakmak was born in Balıkesir and thus Balıkesir Governorate made a declaration on his death stating that he “was wounded at neck as a result of firing of the weapon of another soldier at watch point and was taken to Şırnak Major General Aydoğan Aydın Hospital” where he died.

(03/045) Asylum Seekers Were Subjected to Police Violence in Denizli…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 4, 2019 that, asylum seekers waiting in front of Provincial Migration Directorate in Denizli, in order to get their ID cards which they have to renew once in every 6 months, were intervened by police using pepper gas in order to “get them in line”. It is reported that some asylum seekers who were subjected to pepper gas at a close range were injured.

(03/046) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 4, 2019 that prisoners on hunger strike in Bandırma T Type Prison No 1 were subjected to physical violence of the wardens because rejecting to stand in military order during roll-calls.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 4, 2019 that People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Diyarbakır MP Saliha Aydeniz submit a parliamentary question regarding the claim of suicide attempt by 13 prisoners in Diyarbakır T Type Prisons o 1 and 2. It is reported that the question remarks the omissions that cause death of a prisoner Ahmet Ç. (22) who were alleged to commit suicide in Diyarbakır T Type Prison No 2 on September 22, 2018 and draws attention to the fact that there is only one physician on duty for these two prisons.

(03/047) Hunger Strike in Prison…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 4, 2019 that 175 prisoners in Silivri L Type Closed Prison No 5 went on a hunger strike demanding an end to isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 4, 2019 that 26 prisoners including Erciş district co-mayor Diba Keskin, who was replaced by a trustee, and Dargeçit district co-mayor Zeynep Sipçik, kept in Sincan Women’s Closed Prison went on a hunger strike for the same demand.

(03/048) Ill Prisoner Released from Prison…

Sise Bingöl, an ill prisoner at the age of 85, for whom the Forensic Medicine Institution stated “available to be kept in prison” in the medical report, is released from Adana Karataş Women’s Open Prison on March 4, 2019 as she served her sentence. According to the data of Human Rights Association (IHD) 1154 ill prisoners are kept in prisons.

The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 846 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on March 4, 2019 at 13.30 and 18.00.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 4, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 3 people (Gülnaz Bozkurt, Acun Karadağ and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained.

Thus in total 5 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on March 4, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.

(03/050) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara…

The police intervened the protestors in front of Çankaya Public Health Directorate on March 4, 2019, who rally to regain their jobs from which they had been dismissed by state of emergency decrees, and detained 2 people (Mahmut Konuk and 1 more person). It is learned that 2 people were released the same day.

(03/051) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…

Türkan Albayrak, who was dismissed from her job at Sarıyer district Health Department, on the grounds of ‘personnel security investigation’ and ‘archive search’, on August 3, 2018; made a press declaration to regain her job on March 4, 2019, and attempted for a sit-in protest in front of Health Department. The police intervened into the sit-in and detained Türkan Albayrak. It is learned that Türkan Albayrak was released the same day. It is the 95th time of detention of Türkan Albayrak.

(03/052) People Investigated for ‘Insulting the President’ in Ankara…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 4, 2019 that, a person named M.C., made an official complaint against his daughter A.T.C. to Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office on January 14, 2019, on the grounds of ‘insulting the President’; and that A.T.C. giving her official statement through this investigation on January 17, 2019 rejected the charges and stated that she has problems with her father. It is also reported that, A.T.C. made an official complaint against her father M.C. on the same charge (insulting the President) and as the result of this complaint is non-prosecution while the prosecutor’s office is waiting for the permission of the Ministry of Justice in order to continue proceedings against A.T.C. Professor Yaman Akdeniz from Bilgi University Law Faculty, states in the news reports that the charge of ‘insulting the President’ is involved in Turkish Penal Code in 2014, when Erdoğan began his duty as President, and the number of prosecutions on this charge since then is 66.691 while the number of cases opened is 12.305.

(03/053) Police Raid to HDP Office in Diyarbakır…

It is learned that detention period for 5 people (Salih Cansever, İsmet Yıldız, Sevican Yaşar, Salih Tekin and Bilal Özgezer) who were detained by the police raiding People’s Democratic Party’s (HDP) Diyarbakır office on March 3, 2019, is extended 4 days. Those 5 people were on hunger strike in HDP Diyarbakır office to support HDP Hakkari MP and Democratic Society Congress (DTK) chair Leyla Güven.

Süleyman Soylu, the Minister of Interior, who made a speech at electoral campaign meeting of AKP in a hotel in Beypazarı district of Ankara, stated the following: “They were planning to go on hunger strike in their party’s office (HDP) in a city (Diyarbakır). I ordered the security forces to get them out of there in half an hour. I just had a phone call. They got them.”

The indictment demands heavy life imprisonment for 16 people on the charge of ‘attempting to abolish the government of the Republic of Turkey or to prevent it from fulfilling its duties’. The indictment also demands sentence for defendants on the charges of ‘qualified damage to property’, ‘possession or exchange of hazardous substances without permission’, ‘damaging places of worship and cemeteries’, ‘qualified robbery’, ‘injury’, ‘opposition to Law on the Conservation of Cultural and Natural Property No 2863’, and ‘opposition to Law for the Firearms and Knives and Other Tools No 6136’.

(03/055) Person on Trial in Diyarbakır…

The final trial of the case against A.K., a student staying at Diyarbakır Municipality’s dormitory, on the grounds of committing physical violence against K.K., another student who has warned A.K. for playing “Çerxa Şoreşê”, a Kurdish anthem on the phone on January 21, 2017, is held on Diyarbakır Penal Court of First Instance No 9 on March 4, 2019. The court sentenced A.K. to 6 months and 20 days for ‘injury’ and suspended the sentence. The court also sentenced A.K. to write down “Turkish National Anthem” and “To Çanakkale Martyrs”, a poem by Mehmet Akif Ersoy, and submit the handwritings to the court.

(03/056) Police Officer on Trial for ‘Sexual Assault’ in Van…

The final trial of the case against police officer Zekeriya K., on the charge of sexual assault to 4 women (the shop owner and 3 employees), in a shop where he went on a notice of robbery on February 27, 2018 in Van, is held on Van Penal Court of First Instance No 3 on March 4, 2019. The court sentenced Zekeriya K. to 7 years and 6 months (4 times) for sexual assault, increasing the penalty on the grounds of ‘misuse of the influence derived from public duty’. The court then reduced the sentence to 6 years and 3 months for each assault crime on the grounds of ‘possible influence of the sentence on the defendant’s future’. The court sentenced Zekeriya K. to 7 months and 15 days for ‘failure to report robbery’ which in total makes 27 years of jail imprisonment.

(03/057) Labor Killings…

Worker Health and Worker Safety Council (ISIG) revealed that at least 125 workers including 1 child, 9 women, and 3 asylum seekers died while working in February 2019. According to ISIG data at least 284 workers died due to labor killings/labor accidents within the first two months of 2019.

(03/058) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…

50 people including military members on active duty, for whom a detention warrant was issued through a Bursa based investigation, are detained on March 4, 2019.

It is learned from the news coverage of March 4, 2019 that, according to the data of the Ministry of Justice on January 18, 2019; the number of people who were subjected to legal actions on the charge of alleged link to coup attempt is 500.650. The number of people who are still prosecuted or investigated in relation to coup attempt is 259.099; the number of people on trials in ongoing cases is 78.544. There are 30.679 people (18.679 of them are convicted) in prisons on the charge of link to coup attempt. It is also learned that 77.355 people are subjected to judicial control conditions.

(03/059) Violations of Right to Assembly and Demonstration During the State of Emergency Period…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 3, 2019 that Social Law Association and Sendika.org prepared a report on “freedom of assembly” during state of emergency period. According to the report, during the state of emergency period from July 21, 2016 to July 19, 2018, meetings and demonstrations in at least 50 cities are banned at least 163 times. It is also learned from the report that right to assembly was violated 905 times and police intervened meetings and demonstrations 677 times and detained 3267 people.

(03/060) Report on Violations Against Media…

It is learned from the news coverage of March 2, 2019 that, Barış Yarkadaş, former CHP MP, declared February data of the “Report on Violations Against Media”. According to the report, 1 journalist is arrested, 4 journalists are detained, 4 journalists are sentenced to 6 years 8 months and 15 days; 46 journalists and 21 publishing house employees were on trial in February. A case is opened against a newspaper; 1 director is sentenced and 1 journalist is sentenced to a fine of 15.000 Turkish Liras. 2 news reports and were banned to be published, 41 news reports and 2 videos were banned to be accessed and 2 books were not permitted in prisons. 3 journalists were threatened and 1 journalist is assaulted in February 2019.

(03/061) German Journalists’ Accreditation is Not Extended…

It is learned that the application for a new press card for 2019, of 3 German-citizen journalists (ZDF İstanbul Bureau Chief Jörg Brase and Tagesspiegel newspaper’s reporter to Turkey Thomas Seibert, and Halil Gülbeyaz, a freelance journalist for Northern German Broadcasting (NDR)) is not accepted by Presidential Office of Communication for nor reason.

(03/062) Elections on March 31…

It is learned that the party flags around HDP’s campaign office in Esenler district of Istanbul is removed by anonymous people on March 4, 2019.

(03/063) Special Security Zone in Hakkari…

Hakkari Governorate made a declaration on March 4, 2019 and announced 31 areas with given coordinates in central, Yüksekova, Çukurca, Şemdinli and Derecik districts as special security zones as of March 5 to March 19, 2019.

[1]The reports on the human rights violations of the Documentation Center are claims unless they are certified. The claim of violation either is certified through thoroughly investigations of HRFT Documentation Center, including by judicial verdicts, and becomes a definite data or it is not included to the annual report.

[2]To subscribe to the e-mail group: please write ‘daily human rights reports subscription application’ to the title of your e-mail and sent it to dokumantasyon@tihv.org.tr.